Breaking free from Labels

 Ever since we were young we have been assigned labels. Weather it was based on our smarts, our skin tone, or even our body (being disabled, overweight, or skinny) these labels simply limit a person's true identity. Based on these "labels" we often make quick judgements about the people. It's really impossible not to as that is how our human mind is wired. But thinking this way and trap us in a state of having a mixed mindset, restricting societal and even more personal growth.

Labels carry power in society. Being labeled as disabled gets you pegged not for your achievements or contributions to society, but instead as someone who isn't normal. They are seen in a way where their disability equals a lack of ability to do anything. Society sometimes makes it feel that their only purpose in life it to just wake up and live to serve as motivation for others. However to them they often feel as if they are worth so much more. Take for instance Jim Abbott who was born without a right hand. Abbott could have easily let his label of being disabled confined him in what he could achieve. Instead, he defied all the odds creating a successful career in the MLB as a starting pitcher, and even throwing a no hitter (one of the most impressive things a pitcher can do). However this is just one person out of millions. There are thousands of disabled people realizing that they can't let their labels define them and they can do more. Here you can read so of their stories.

But even more, labels can be placed on "normal" people without any physical disabilities as mentioned above. Take for instance being labeled the "funny one". Everyone expects you to always crack joke and not take anything too serious. Every single action you do is seen in retrospect to your "label" and it really does not let them change the way they act without being looked at weird or without any judgement. These labels of being "the funny one" or even "the smart one" confines us to roles that really might not be our true selves and there is more beneath the surface about them. 

All in all, we should remember something key. Labels are simply just words. You should not let a single adjective control you. We as humans are more then just one adjective. We as a society need to break free and of this way of thinking and build a world that recognizes the rich nature of every person.